Carbon saver



y 1940- H. GRANVILLE. SR 2,207,664-

CARBON SAVER Filed March 9. 195a Patented July 9, 1940 UNITED STATES CARBON SAVER 1 Harry Granville, Sr., Scranton, Pa., assignor of forty one hundredths to Thomas G.v Cary and twenty 'one-hundredths to Richard J. Bourke,

Scranton, Pa.

I Application March 9, 1938, Serial No. 194,972

,6 Claims.

My invention relates to holders or adapters for electrodes of arc lamps and more particularly to a carbon saver for projection lamp carbons of the character used with motion picture projectors. I

Heretofore it hasbeen proposed to provide carbon saving devices wherein the carbon electrode is adjustably mounted in an adapter constructed and arranged to, fit into a conventional electrode holder of the projection apparatus. It has alsobeen suggested to attach the carbons end to end by means of threadedengagement, and as a modification thereof, the carbons have been joined together by means of a sleeve member adapted to fit over the end portions of the carbons. Y

While theprior art devices function for their intended purposeofproviding means-v whereby short pieces of carbon electrodes may be utilized they are open to a numberof objections which areinherent in their construction. Carbon savers of the adapter type referred-to above, have been found objectionable for the reason that the enlarged end of the adapter will'not pass through the'slot in the carbon guide member and therefore a considerable portion'of the carbon remains uneonsumed'even after complete adjustment of the adapter. Similarly when the carbons areattached end to end by means of a sleeve it has been found that the increasing thickness of material in the vicinity of the joint and more particularly the thickness of the material at the advancing or leading edge of; the sleeve, prevents the sleeve from passing through the guide member. If the leading edge of the sleeve is tapered or, as has been suggested, lifted slightly to clear the edge of the guide slot, the construction is still objectionable because the electrodes are thrown out of alignment with resultant fluctuation of light intensity. 1

Objection is made to-the third type of carbon saving arrangemenhnamely, connecting the care bons by threading them together, because of the extra labor, cost and time consumed'by the operator in preparing the carbons for use. Special apparatus is required to thread thecarbons, and the standard electrodes .cannot be used-without considerable modification. It has'also been found that unless the operator exercises great care in preparing the threads, the joint formed betweenadjacent carbons will not be smooth and electrodes are thus thrown out ofalignment.

The present invention is designed to-overcome the deficiencies of the prior art andto provide an improved carbon saver of simple construction adapted for use with standard carbon electrodes, the saver being'constructed and arranged whereby substantially all of the carbon can beutilized.

An object of my invention is to provide an improved carbon saver designed to permit utilization of substantially the entire piece of carbon forming the electrode.

Another object of my invention-isto; provide an improved carbon saver adapted for usewith standard commercial carbon electrodes and of general application with high intensity arc lamps of conventional type. c

Yet another object of my invention is to provide an improved carbon holder or'adapter constructed and arranged to pass through theslot formed in the carbon support guide.

Still another object of my invention is to provide an improved carbon saver comprising a hold-" er or adapter designed foruse with positive or negative carbonelectrodes.

A further'ob'ject of my invention is to provide a carbon saver in the form of a holder or adapter constructed and arranged to pass through the guide slot of'the carbon support guide and maintain the electrodes in correct alignment.

A still further object of my inventionis to provide a carbon saver which is strong and sturdy in construction and consisting of but few parts and one that is not liable to get out of order or, adjustment even after long and continued use.

With these and other objects in view, which may be incident to my improvements, the invention consists in the parts and combinations to be hereinafter set forth and claimed, with the understanding that theseveral necessary elements, comprising my'invention, may be varied in I structions, which for the purpose of explanation, have been made the subject .of illustration.

In the drawing: I

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved carbon holder showing a carbon electrode support therein.

Fig. 2 is a perspective fragmentary view of the upper end of a guide member.

' Fig. .3 is a perspective view of the improved holder and guide, showing the carbon in seated position in the guide slot.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the arrangement of Fig. 3, showing the position of the holder after it has been advanced through the guide slot.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a negative guide.

Fig. 6 isa perspective view of another form of negative guide.

Fig. '7 is a perspective view of a modified form of carbon holder or saver; and

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of another modification of my improved carbon saver.

Referring to the drawing and more particularly to Figure 1, my improved carbonholder or adapter comprises a body portion indicated generally by numeral l, formed with an extension member 2 adapted to be clamped in an electrode holder of a projection lamp, the body being bifurcated to provide upper and lower electrode clamping members 3 and 41 respectively. The upper clamping member or jaw 3 is formed with straight side portions 5 which taper outwardly as at 6 to an enlarged shoulder 1. The lower clamping member or jaw 4 is similarly formed with straight side portions 8 which terminate in an enlarged shoulder portion 9. The inner or clamping surfaces of both jaws arearcuate shaped as'indicat'ed at H! and II, the curvature of these surfaces being designed to conform with the external curvature of an electrode 12, which is shown in seated position in the longitudinal slot formed by said arcuate surfaces. It will be noted that the lower clamping member 4 is of smaller width and thickness than the upper member, thus providing a comparatively narrow reduced cross-sectional area at the end of the member.

'Between the point of attachment 'of extension member 2 of the holder, the body is formed with a reduced portion or neck l3, terminating in a shoulder M to which the extension'is attached. The purpose of this arrangement is to provide maximum resiliency between the clamp members whereby they may be readily flexed, and at the same time assure a strong and sturdy support for the holder and carbon electrode when the parts are in the operative position ina projection lamp. In connection with the formation of reduced portion I 3, it will be noted that the body is separated at the rear. of the jaws proper by means of a slot I5, which extends into the neck portion a distance slightly beyond the center thereof.

In. order to clamp the electrode I2 in seated position in the slot formed byvthe arcuateshaped inner surfaces of the clampingmembers, a suitable set or thumb screw 85. is provided, the screw being adapted to be inserted through the shoulder members I and 9. Both shoulders may be tapered to receive the threaded thumb screw or only the bottom shoulder may be provided wih threads. A suitable washer l1, either of the spring or lock type may be provided to maintain the screw in the desired position. b

Referring to Fig. 2 there is shown an improved form of guide adapted for use with a carbon holder or adapter of the character above described. The carbon guide member comprises a body portion designated generally by numeral I8, provided with an upwardly extending flange l9, having a'recess 20 formed in the upper edge thereof. It will be noted that the recess comprises an enlarged portion 21, which may be substantially V-shaped as shown, and a reduced or restricted portion 22 forming a continuation of the enlarged portion and having straight sides 23. The angular-1y disposed surfaces 24, forming the interior faces of the enlarged portion of the recess, are designed to accommodate the electrode l2 and the configuration of recess 2| formed by the angularly disposed surfaces is definitely related to the size and shape. of the restricted portion 22, as will be explained more fully hereinafter. The body or base portion of the guide may .be formed with a conventional guard arrange- "ment l8 adapted to receive carbon particles I emitted from the electrode.

' formed in the guide flange. In this arrangement,

it will be understood that carbon l2, which was originally of standard length, has been advanced in the direction of the arrow, the carbonfbeing maintained in correct alignment as itis consumed at the are, by means of its supporting arrange ment with the slot in the carbon guide m'eniber.

As the carbon electrode is consumed, the holder In Fig. 3, the elements;

in which the-carbon is clamped is advanced'by the electrode feeding mechanism associated with the projection lamp, and the elements assume the position shown in Fig. 4, with the carbon holder or adapter passing through the guide. It is to be noted that in the position shown, the lower clamp; ing member or jaw 4, projects into the reduced or restricted portion 22 of the guide recess, and that the upper clamping member 3 is accommodated in the enlargedportion 2| ofthe. guide? It will be appreciated that in the movement of the electrode and holder from the position "showi'i in Fig. 3, to its position in Fig. 4, correct axial alignment of the carbon with respect to itscom plementary electrode is maintained. In other words, due tothe configurations of" portion's'il and 22 the transition of the supporting conditions of the carbon with respect to the guide is effected without displacement of the carbon from its ner mal position in alignment with its complementary electrode.

Due to the fact that the rigidly supported in the holderof the advancing mechanism of the projection lamp, additional support for the adapter is unnecessary after the carbon has passed beyond the limits of theguide slot. In event, however, that the holder requires support to maintain proper alignment of the car'- bons, it will be noted th'atthe side'faces '5 can be modified by curving' them inwardly and upwardly so that they seat "on the angular facesfl, after the carbon has been moved out of contact with the guide. Slot 22 may also bemodifi'ed t8 electrode adapter' is the extent of making it the same depth as the thickness of the material forming the lower jaw; whereby the holder is provided with a support during its passage through the guide.

By means of my improved carbon's'aver br economizer, substantially all of the electrode can be utilized. Since the electrode holder is free'to pass through the guide, it will be appreciated," that the only limitations on the'extent to which the carbon may be burned reside in the amount or carbon required to provide for proper clamping support between the jaws and the safe or'reason-" able distance the end portion of the holder may be advanced in the vicinity of the arc. l I i It has been found that with my improved carbon saver, greater economy may be effected than heretofore'obtainable by use of known prior art devices. The short pieces of carbon normally discarded, may by means of my device-be substantially used up as for example, in so-called trailers and the like. The carbon saver of the present invention, does not necessitate any modification of the standard commercial carbonsticks nor are any special tools required for'the purpose of attaching or mounting the carbon element in i-tsholder or the holder in the convention support of the projection lamp.

Referringto Fig. 5, there is shown a negative carbon guide comprising a base portion 25, an-outwardly extending horizontal portion 26, the horizontal portion being formed with an upwardly extending portion 21 which terminates in a vertical flange IS. The flange member, which is in general arrangement similar to flange IQ of the guide member shown in Figs. 2 to 4 inclusive is provided with a recess comprising an enlarged portion 2| and a reduced or restricted portion 22. The base of the guide may be suitably attached to the lamp housing or other support by fastening means insertable through openings 28 In Fig. 6, a different form of negative guide used in certain types of lamp houses is shown. In this arrangement, the guide comprises a body portion 29 formed with an inclined portion 3-0 which terminates in a recess similar to that shown in Fig. 5. It will be noted in connection with this arrangement, that the restricted'recess 22' is extended downwardly into the material of the upwardly turned portion 30, whereby a gradual slope is obtained between the planes of the body portion and the bottom of the recess 22.

Referring to Figs. '7 and 8, there is'shown modified forms of the improved holder and adapter. In Fig. 7, the body portion l of the holder is bifurcated by means of slot 3| extending longitudinally thereof to provide two symmetrically shaped clamping members 32 and 33. The interior surfaces of the clamping members are arcuate shaped and provide a longitudinally shaped recess adapted to receive the carbon electrode I2. In this arrangement, it will be noted that the faces 34 of the clamping members are angularly disposed and arranged to seat on the faces 24 of the enlarged portion of the slot in the guide member. In this modification, after the carbon has passed beyond its support in the guide, the inclined faces of the holder which are arranged at a suitable angle, contact with faces 24 and support the holder and carbon electrode in proper alignment with the complementary electrode. By means of the formation of slot 22', a holder of the type shown in Figure 1 may be used with the negative guide of the character shown in Fig. 6.

The modified form of adapter shown in Fig. 8

' is somewhat similar to the arrangement of Fig. '7.

In this arrangement, the body portion is bifurcated by means of slot 3| which extends beyond shoulder portions 9' and an enlarged shoulder I4 is provided intermediate the body portion l of the adapter and extension member 2, used for clamping the holder in the projection lamp support. The electrode I2 is clamped in position in '3 the longitudinal slot formed by the arcuate shaped inner surfaces of the clamping members by means of a suitable set screw H3 insertable through the enlarged shoulder portions 9.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, I wish it to be understood that I do not'confine myself to the precise details of construction herein set forth, by way of illustrations, as it is apparent that many changes and variations may be made therein, by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention, or exceeding the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim. is:

1. In combination, an are light mechanism having a stationary carbon support along which a carbon may be fed, a carbon holder having a first jaw, a second jaw cooperating with the first jaw to clamp a carbon therebetween, the stationary carbon support having a groove formed therein, the contour of which is the same as the contour of the carbon and the contour of the bottom surface of said holder being the same as the contour of the groove and in alignment with the bottom surface of the carbon clamped between said jaws, said second jaw extending below the bottom surface of said first jaw, said support having a relatively narrow slot formed to extend below the surface of the groove formed therein and said second jaw being of such width as to freely pass through the slot in said support.

2. A carbon guide for use in a projection lamp, comprising a body portion formed with an upwardly turned flange having a recess in the upper edge thereof, the recess in said flange having an upper enlarged portion and a lower restricted portion.

3. A carbon saver for carbon electrodes, comprising a holder having a body portion formed with an extension for supporting the holder in a projection lamp, said body portion being bifurcated to form. upper and lower clamping members, the lower member being of smaller width and thickness than the upper member, both of said members being formed with arcuate inner-surfaces conforming with the curvature of an electrode, means to move the members into clamping relationship with the electrode, and an electrode guide member having abody portion formed'with an upwardly turned flange, said flange having a recess in the upper edge thereof, the recess having an enlarged portion forming a seat for the electrode and a restricted portion accommodating the lower clamping member of the electrode holder and supporting the same with the carbon electrode in correct alignment when the holder is seated in said restricted portion.

4. A carbon saver for carbon electrodes, comprising a holder having abody portion formed with an extension for supporting the holder in a projection lamp, said body portion being bifurcated to form upper and lower clamping jaws, the lower jaw being of smaller width and thickness than the upper jaw, both of said jaws being formed with enlarged shoulder portions in the vicinity of the end of the holder opposite the free ends of the jaws, the inner-surfaces of the jaws being arcuate to conform with the external curvature of an electrode, means insertable through said shoulder portions to move the jaws into clamping relationship with an electrode, and an electrode guide member having a body portion formed with an upwardly turned flange, said flange having a recess in the upper edge thereof, the recess having an enlarged portion forming a seat for the electrode and a restricted portion accommodating the lower clamping jaw of the electrode holder and supporting the same with the carbon electrode in correct alignment when the holder is seated in said restricted portion.

- 5.A'carbon saver for carbon electrodes, comprising a holder having a body portion formed with an extension for supporting the holder in a projection lamp, said body portion being bifurca'ted to form symmetrically shaped clamping members, both of said members having arcuate inner-surfaces forming a substantially semi-circular longitudinal slot in the body portion of the holder, means to move the members into clamping relationship with an electrode, and an electrode guide member having a body portion formed with an upwardly turned flange, said flange having a recess in the upper edge thereof, the recess having angularly disposed side faces defining a slot, said slot accommodating the electrode holder and supporting the same with the carbon electrode in correct alignment when the holder is seated in the slot.

' 6. A carbon saver for carbon electrodes, com.- prising a holder having a body portion formed with an extension for supporting the holder in a projection lamp, said body portion being bi furcated to form symmetrically shaped clamping jaws, both of said jaws being providedrwith enlarged shoulder portions in the vicinityof the end of the holder opposite the free ends of the jaws, the jaws having arcuate inner-surfaces turned flange, said flange having a'recess in the I upper edge thereof, the recess having angularly disposed side faces defining a slot, said slot accommodating the electrode holder and supportw ing the same with the carbon electrode in correct alignment when the holder is seated in the slot.

HARRY GRANVILLE, sn'. 20 

